South Norfolk Business Award winners rejoice after event

A pair of winners from the South Norfolk Business Awards have spoken about their delight from the night.

bf1systems, based in Diss, and The Fox and Hounds in Great Moulton were among 15 award winners at the event in early March, which was held Norwich City Football Club’s Carrow Road ground.

bf1systems, a market leading provider of electrical and composite parts for the motorsport and automotive trade, took home the Employer of the Year accolade.

The award judges were extremely impressed by the outstanding level of support, development and benefit initiatives the business gives its staff.

On winning, managing director James Welham said: “We were surprised and equally delighted to win the award, given the standard of other local companies we were up against in the category.

“As we celebrate our 30th anniversary of trading here in Norfolk, being acknowledged in the Employer of the Year category is great recognition of the type of workplace and culture we have within bf1systems, and that we are continually developing with the help of our fantastic people.”

For the second time in a row, The Fox and Hounds took the title of South Norfolk Pub of the Year.

According to judges, publican Ali Holman and her staff offer a family friendly, dog friendly pub that ‘ticks all the boxes’, with locally sourced food and drink, community involvement and accessibility for all.

Judges added that ‘the pub is the hub of the village, a place to dine with friends and family and forge friendships over a pint.’

Ali said: “It is amazing to win it again. I have a wonderful team behind me and customers just keep coming back, which is lovely.

“We like to treat everyone as friends even if it is their first time coming here and when they are here we just want people to feel at home and bring the community together.”

South Norfolk Council cabinet member, Cllr Lisa Neal, said it was a great night of celebrating the workplaces in the district.

She added: “It’s brilliant to see so many local businesses thriving.

“Our judges had a really difficult task to whittle down a shortlist.

“Although there can only be one winner in each category, everyone at the event should be proud of what they have achieved.”